Virat Kohli’s personal toll exposed as ex-Australia stars ‘slap on shoulders’ and ‘sandpaper’

Former Australian cricketers Aaron Finch and Simon Katich made bold statements about Virat Kohli’s on-field antics in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 after Australia beat India 3-1 in the five-match Test series. .

Aaron Finch and Simon Katich criticized Kohli for his unnecessary actions during the Australian tour, saying the dashing right-hander had “overstepped” and “tarnished his reputation”, particularly with his sandpaper wicket in the Australian crowd in the fifth and final over. Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) last week.

Aaron Finch and Simon Katich criticize Virat Kohli’s controversial behavior during Australia tour

Interestingly, Aaron Finch and Simon Katich both shared the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dressing room with Virat Kohli during the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Finch shared the field with the Indian cricket superstar, Katich served as the RCB head coach in the IPL.

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Well, Virat Kohli sparked a huge controversy with his on-field antics during India’s recent Test series against Australia and divided his fans and former players. Drama ensued on Boxing Day at the MCG when Kohli was pulled on the shoulder of teenage Aussie debutant Sam Konstas.

Kohli was subsequently fined 20% of his match fee and given one demerit point by the ICC. But the controversy didn’t end there as the former Indian skipper’s actions took another turn during the New Year’s Test when he was seen mimicking a gesture referencing the infamous Sandpapergate scandal.

He tarnished his reputation both on and off the pitch: Simon Katich

Kohli turned his pockets inside out, looked down his pants and rubbed the ball, examining Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. This provocative behavior did not go down well with several Australian players, including Finch and Katich, who criticized Kohli for crossing the line and even said that the Indian star had lost his reputation by doing so.

Katich has expressed concerns about Virat Kohli’s behavior during the Australian tour, suggesting that his actions have affected his reputation. He acknowledged Kohli’s status as a modern great across all formats, but questioned his mindset on the tour, saying his actions were unnecessary and tarnished his image.

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Simon Katich said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show: “There is no doubt that he (Kohli) has been the modern great player of the game in all formats. But I think you have to ask what kind of environment he’s in on this tour to make physical contact in Melbourne, or even the other unpleasant incident in Sydney with the reference to sandpaper with pockets. I mean, in itself – there was no need for it. “It’s old news, so I think he’s tarnished his reputation a bit on this tour, both on and off the field.”

Virat Kohli was trying to find something to ignite the flame in him: Aaron Finch

On the other hand, Aaron Finch believes that Kohli’s behavior during the tour was motivated by frustration. The former Australian skipper pointed out that Kohli often succeeds in confrontation but this time he went too far and tried to motivate but failed to deliver.

Aaron Finch said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show: “It was just a level of frustration. I said last week that it was as if he wanted to find conflict and confrontation – that’s where he generally plays his best cricket. So he just went overboard this round. Above and beyond everything I’ve seen in a field, the bump, then the sanding, unnecessary. But overall, I think he was trying to find something to spark a fire in himself, but he didn’t.”